Room tipping

[lmhall2000]

I think it's fine to leave the candles- and a sweet note thanking them for making your day brighter and hopefully you can brighten theirs. My roommate in college worked at the Poly and she confirmed that it was not an "expected" tip position. It's an added bonus but NOT required. She had friends in housekeeping and they received tips about every 1 out of 5 rooms- so leaving a candle- wrapping it in a nice package would be a nice surprise.
Tara

 

[poober25]

I have to jump in here now.

To the original poster: If you are going to "tip" I don't think it would be appropriate to leave a candle ea. day. You may have the same mousekeeper everyday, and who wants several candles, (I'm assuming they are the same.) I would maybe tip a small amount ea. day and find out how many different mousekeepers you've had during you stay and leave a candle for ea. of them, by name, if possible, at the end of your stay.

That said, I don't think that it is necessary to tip housekeepers in hotels and honestly, I usually don't. We occasionally do when the housekeeper has done something for us over and above the the normal things she/he is expected to do. I totally agree with BobC on this, it is not considered a tipped position and personally I get tired of lots of people who don't make that much less than me sticking their hands out for tips. No one tips me for being a good mom, or my husband for giving someone a job. This is not sour grapes, just the plain truth of the matter.

BTW, just to add to this thought, I NEVER base the amount tip that we leave a wait staff person on the amount of the bill. We base it on service, # of tables, how long we've been in the restraunt, and figure out what feel the server's time is worth based on how we've been treated and tip accordingly. If it is really good service, that amount will much more than 20% of our bill as we often share meals. I think if more people based their tipping on service and common sense, rather than what some "industry standard" is, then service would improve in many places. Now, I'm prepared for the negative comments that I'll receive from all the servers out there, but that's the way I feel.

 

[admiral nelson]

Originally posted by Bob NC
Hey Admiral....Go back and read my posts. I said I DO tip the housekeepers. I guess it makes your argument sound better if you call me "cheap" though.

What I found distasteful about this whole deal was your calling someone "cruddy", for having the idea to leave a small gift rather than a small cash amount.

You can dig up all the Miss Manners columns you want.....The fact is....Disney considers housekeeping a NON-TIPPED position and they pay the housekeepers more than they pay the TIPPED positions.

Answer my question....If the reason you tip housekeepers is because they "don't make much", and it's the "right thing to do", do you also tip the groundskeepers and cashiers who make less and probably work harder?

If you don't....Well, your argument sllips right thru the cracks, huh?

It's funny how I quote sources, and you quote your opinions. Well thought out, Bob. Cashiers are almost never a tipped position. (less maybe that cup on the dunkin donuts counter) Have you ever tipped a groundskeeper before? Please dig me up some information on that. Or your argument can be just as hollow as when this started.

Originally posted by Pooh
No one tips me for being a good mom

Ok, I give up after hearing that post. In closing, I'll just say I hope you all get everything coming to you. I will respond to anything else in this thread, so say what you like, I'm done.

 

[kcarp]

WOW!

This thread sounds like a soap opera, much better than some of the other threads. But really, I never tip the maids, call me cheap or whatever, I guess I really never thought about it. This trip, I will tip the maids or whatever you people call them. But, what about the resorts that charge you that $ 7 bones a day. What's up with that shiiiiiiiiiii......?????

Good Day

 

[jaygatz]

Hi Adm. Nelson,

Reading through your posts made me wonder about a couple of assumptions you make in your argument--

1. What exactly are the "just desserts" that naturally flow from one's failure to tip a maid at a hotel?

2. Why is tipping the "right thing" to do? Before you answer this, don't just quote websites that affirm your thesis by restating that tipping is the right thing to do.

3., and finally, what is "cruddy" about giving someone a present?



Thanks
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Now, to the OP--

In my opinion, the only way to determine if leaving a candle in the room for the maid is appropriate is to search your value system--Jesus said to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. That said, would it offend you if you did your job and someone left you a present? Would you be so crass as to be indignant that you were not left money? I think the appropriateness of the candle depends on how, after reflection, you would answer the above questions. If you would be okay with it, then you are doing a good thing. If you would not, then leaving the candle would be an affront to the maid. I hope this helps, and I am sorry that you were attacked for asking a question.

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by admiral nelson
It's funny how I quote sources, and you quote your opinions. Well thought out, Bob. Cashiers are almost never a tipped position.

How about the little brochure left in my resort room every time I stay there? They clearly state what the tipped positions are, and housekeeping is not one of them.

 

[cook4you]

I had no idea this question I asked would stir up so many people.
I guess I should of stopped to think back. I was working as a maid 10 years ago in Branson Missouri, and I know for a fact the pay in Branson, as a maid was $6.00 an hour with a $.75 bonus an hour, at the end of the summer. I quit working as a maid to go to nursing school and when I graduated and went to work as a LPN my wages were LESS than what I made as a maid. So the moral to the story is maids make good money, at least in Branson.
And I remember two customers, in the 3 or 4 years I worked as a maid, left me a tip. I also worked as a waitress, now that is a job that you better get tips for, or you as the waitress will be paying your employer to come to work. I got $2.01 an hour plus tips and the restaurant I worked at only gave the waitresses 5 tables. So you had to get the orders fast and serve the food fast, and go back to the table often to make sure the customers had everything they needed to move them out fast so the table could be cleaned for the next people.That was 12 years ago. So,I had to put my 2 cents worth in. And reading all these posts I think I will follow the advice given and give a tip each day. Also a candle to the maid that cleans our room the days of sheet changes only.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

There has been a great deal of debate regarding tipping etiquette and I would like to point out one thing for what its worth.

Tipping is always optional. Originally one tipped in advance of service to ensure that the best service was provided. This was back in the days when only the wealthy dined out or stayed in hotels. The seasoned traveler knew the ropes for tipping.

When travel and dining out became mainstream, "the masses" needed a rule of thumb to follow in unfamiliar territory. The "industry" came up with a standard for how much one should leave when tipping. Since this rule of thumb was based on the amount of the bill, the tip was calculated after the service was rendered and people would take into account the quality of the service.

One thing that was touched on briefly was the number of candles. Assuming that you would leave a different color or scented candle each day, ask yourself, "How many different color/scented candles do you need after a week?" I think it might be a nice gesture if you wanted to leave a candle as a thank you gift for "x" number of days of good service in addition to any tip you leave. Kind of as a bonus. This would be thoughtfull and probably welcomed.

One last thought. Trying to kill two birds with one stone by stocking up on gifts for teachers, extra-ciricular activity coaches/instructors, etc., might work, but supporting the Boys Scouts and going on vacation are two totally different concepts and one should probably be exclusive of the other.